Category: Politics

The All Progressives Congress on Thursday threatened legal action against the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, and the sacked lawmaker representing Brass Constituency 1, Daniel Charles, over alleged contempt of court.

Also in trouble for the same alleged offence is the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, following non-compliance with the sacking of Charles by the Court of Appeal.

Ingobere and Charles risk jail term for not abiding by the order of the court, which sacked the latter with immediate effect.

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The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had on July 14, 2022, in a unanimous decision by Justices Joseph Shagbaor Ikeyegh, Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole and Olabode Adegbehingbe, in suit number CA/PH/79/2022, ruled that there was merit in the appeal filed by the APC, which sought the removal of Charles as a member of the House for defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party from APC on whose platform he won the election to the Assembly.

The court, which hinged its decision on Section 109 (1) (g) and (2) of the Constitution, ordered the speaker under constitutional duties to declare Charles’s seat vacant and directed Charles to return all monies and allowances he had collected since April 14, 2021.

Counsel to APC, Mr Tuduru Ede, who expressed dismay that Charles was still being allowed to participate in the legislature’s deliberation, said that INEC, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Ingobere and Charles were all in contempt of the court’s ruling.
He insisted that the appeal court made a declaratory judgment, saying the implication of allowing Charles to remain in the House is that all motions and decisions made by the House are null and void.

Ede said, “The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, INEC, and the House of Assembly as an institution, and Hon. Dr Charles Daniel, are in contempt of Court by their actions for allowing Hon. Charles to be part of the House.

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“The Court of Appeal has sacked him and INEC should have conducted an election into the vacant seat.

“Hon. Charles is no longer a member of the House and he should have returned all the monies he collected since April 2021. He risks going to jail for showing contempt to the order of the Court. This is part of the impunity we are talking about.

“The implication of what the House of Assembly has done is that by allowing Dr Daniel who has been sacked in the eyes of the law since April 2021 to be part of its deliberation means all their actions, motions are null and void. By allowing him to be part of any deliberation means all what they are doing is nullity.”

When contacted, Charles said he would need to speak with his lawyer before responding.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has stated that it would be incorrect for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors who have failed to provide good governance in their states to seek votes from the electorate.

On Wednesday, Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, performed the inauguration of Rivers State University’s Emohua campus and the flag-off of staff quarters.

Governor Wike stated that delivering quality projects by himself and his fellow governors would benefit the PDP in their respective states.
He said, “If any PDP State is not doing well, don’t think you will be voted for just because APC is not doing well. If PDP State, for example, Rivers State, didn’t do well, then you’ll say because APC did not do well at the national level, then the people will vote for us.

“They’ll tell you: PDP you didn’t do well in Rivers State. People don’t understand that. And that is why the party should respect us and know that we are the ones campaigning for the party because we have what to use to campaign.”

Some former presidential aspirants who ran in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election have pledged their full support and loyalty to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy.

According to Abdurasheed Shehu, Atiku’s media aide, the former Presidential aspirants, led by Mohammed Hayatudeen, pledged their loyalty to Atiku during a visit to him. Kalu Chikwendu, Tarry Oliver, Dele Momodu, and Charles Ugwu were also present.

Governor Nyesom Wike, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former SGF Anyim Pius Anyim were among those who did not attend the meeting.
Hayatudeen stated that they came to congratulate the flagbearer of their party for his victory at the primary election and to wish him well in the forthcoming general elections, with the hope that Atiku will make it to the seat of power.

Chief Dele Momodu stated the importance of having all the Presidential aspirants on board, which he said would ensure victory for the party at the polls.

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In his words, “all the aspirants must come together to deliver the party and I believe that PDP has the best chance to win the 2023 presidential election”.

He called for the intervention of all the stakeholders and appealed for everyone to come together and support the party to victory.

He mentioned that “whatever the grievances are amongst the party members, it is important for everyone to come together; hence the unity of the party will translate to electoral victory for all.”

The only female aspirant in the last PDP primary election, Mrs Tarry Oliver, in her short speech stated that as former aspirants, they were reaching out to all their colleagues with the hope that everyone will come on board to deliver the party in all the elections.

She expressed her firm belief that the structure of the party will encourage a collective approach which will include women and youths participation that will enable the party to focus on issue-based campaigns.

According to her, PDP is one united family and assured Nigerians that whatever is happening within the party is a family affair which will ultimately be resolved amicably.

In his response, the Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar expressed his gratitude for their congratulatory visit and commended them for accepting the outcome of the presidential primary.

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Atiku assured them that he was ready to work with them as partners, by ensuring victory for the PDP in the 2023 general elections.

He reaffirmed the importance of working as a united front in a collective quest to rescue Nigeria from bad governance.

The former Vice President stated that the project of reclaiming the country was not a one man’s job but a collective responsibility.

Atiku stated that as the campaign period draws near, he looked forward to more interactive sessions with the group.

Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma said on Tuesday that the state’s people’s ongoing support and prayers were critical to the state’s development.

This was stated by Uzodimma while delivering his goodwill message at the Imo Unity and Praise Convention, which was held at Ndubuisi Kanu Square in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The governor, who attended the event with his wife, Chioma, asked for the people’s prayers and support for his administration, saying that without it, his administration would struggle to achieve its 3R development agenda.

Uzodimma further said Imo State remains in God’s hands despite the challenges confronting the State and explained that God has been with the people of the State because he has never allowed the plan of the devil to succeed.

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According to him,” God has been there for us- In good times and in challenging times. He is always there. There is evidence everywhere to show that the Almighty God is in Imo State.

“We were challenged- We didn’t go retaliating, we put our knees on the ground-we prayed and God answered us” the Governor stated.

Uzodimma further urged harmonious relationships between religious groups in the state for peace.

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Iyorchia Ayu.

Fani-Kayode made the call on Sunday via his verified Facebook page alleging that Dino Melaye revealed the election that brought Ayu in as PDP’s chair was faulty.

Melaye is PDP chieftain and spokesperson of Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign.
Fani-Kayode’s allegations

Fani-Kayode alleged that, “Senator Dino Melaye, the spokesman of the Atiku Abubakar PCO, said, All the PDP Governors spent money to get Senator Iyorchia Ayu elected as National Chairman.

“This is a grave and serious matter. It is a public confession of a criminal offence made by a senior figure within the PDP cabal that committed the said offence.

“It follows that Ayu’s election was a product of corruption and criminality and so was Waziri Atiku Abubakar’s as their party’s presidential flagbearer at a later convention which was conducted by him.”

The All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain, having said this, then, called on security operatives to arrest Melaye in order to probe his revelation. He also called on INEC to nullify Ayu’s election as PDP’s helmsman.

“I hereby call on the Federal Government and the security agencies to invite Senator Dino Melaye to shed more light on how much each of the PDP Governors gave for Ayu’s “election.”

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“And I call on them to arrest and prosecute Iyorcha Ayu and the entire NWC of the PDP for being accomplices to a criminal act, beneficiaries of the crime of corruption and accessories after the fact.

“I also call on INEC to nullify Ayu’s so-called election as National Chairman and to do same to that of Abubakar Atiku’s who was purportedly elected as the party’s flagbearer,” Fani-Kayode said.

Melaye’s reaction
Reacting to Fani-Kayode’s criticisms, Melaye, Sunday, replied on his verified Facebook page that the election that installed Ayu was supported by PDP’s governors.

“The reality is that Professor Iyorchia Ayu, a man of repute and impeccable political profile was supported by Governors and members of the party.

“It is not rocket science that though Professor Ayu emerged by consensus, a convention was held and delegates were mobilized to Abuja,” Melaye reacted.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, gunmen suspected to be political thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reportedly attacked members of the Labour Party during their meetings in Enugu State.

It was gathered that the attacked happened on Sunday during Ward meetings at Aninri and Awgu local government areas of the state.

Sources stated that whil nobody was killed in the attack, some people were injured while their cars, chairs and canopies were vandalised.

The LP governorship candidate, Hon Chijioke Edeoga, confirmed the attack on the party members.

Edeoga said he received a report of gunmen suspected to be political thugs attacking their members during their monthly meetings at Aninri ward and Awgu ward 1, and destroyed chairs, cars, canopy and wounded some people.

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He said, “Nobody was killed but some people were wounded and cars vandalised.

“I was told that the gunmen chased away our members and shot indiscriminately, causing panic. Chairs and canopies were destroyed, cars of members packed were also vandalised.”

Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of the state police command were unsuccessful as the Command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, could not take his calls or respond to text message.

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has berated ex-Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, over his latest comment against him.

Melaye had claimed that all governors under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, spent money on ensuring that Iyorchia Ayu emerged as the party’s National Chairman.

Reacting, Fani-Kayode knocked Melaye for making such a comment.

He urged security operatives to arrest and prosecute Ayu and the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Reacting, Melaye said Fani-Kayode’s mind was not in sync with the world’s reality.

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Melaye said Fani-Kayode’s comment lacked comprehension, stressing that it was “a voyage in meddlesomeness and idleness.”

A statement Melaye signed reads partly: “My attention has just been called to a statement issued by Femi Fani-Kayode, which as usual, was an incoherent gibberish produced from his temporary relief from insanity.

“How can one explain his momentary consciousness to react to an interview long granted, if not that his world of reality is not in sync with the world of sound minds.

“Truly, an idle hand and heart like that of FFK is the devil’s residence. Ordinarily, his rambling would have been ignored, but in this age of unrestricted access to the media even by unwholesome minds, care must be taken to put issues in the right context and perspective.”

The Adamawa State executive committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has removed the state chairman, Ibrahim Bilal, over alleged anti party, financial misconduct and gross violation of the party’s constitution.

Following Bilal’s removal, his deputy, Ismaila Tadawus, was sworn in as the new chairman of the party, with 24 out of 36 officers appending their signatures.
The executive committee at a meeting held at the APC state Secretariat in Yola, on Monday, accused the chairman of extortion.

In a speech read by the State Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Abdullahi, the executives alleged that the chairman stayed away from the Secretariat for two months and was absent at the venue of the governorship primary election.

Abdullahi said Bilal had refused to respond to allegations against him while absconding from his official duty to stay in Abuja at a time when the party needed to reconcile members and address grievances arising from the primaries.

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“The chairman has shrouded the finances of the party in secrecy and has been running the affairs of the party like a personal investment with no checks and balances and without auditing since he cane on board”, he said.

“The chairman blatantly refused to congratulate the winner of the gubernatorial primaries of our great party, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani on time without any justification even though some party EXCO prodded and advised him to do so”.

He added that Bilal violated Article 21.2 of the APC Constiturion by urging the electorates in his Northern Senatorial Zone through his verified Facebook page to vote for the NNPP candidate against the APC candidate, Senator Ishiaku Cliff Abbo, and also Article 23 as amended which provided that joint signatories for the party’s bank account shall include the chairman, the secretary, the treasurer and the financial secretary.

Bilal could not be reached for comment as he did not answer a call from our reporter as at the time of filing this report.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Peter Mbah has named the former State Chairman of the party, Chief Ikeje Asogwa as the Director General his campaign organization.

Mbah in a statement issued by the Head, Peter Mbah Media Office said that Asogwa will coordinate, oversee and drive all aspects of the PDP electioneering for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

The statement read in parts:

“I’m happy to announce Chief Ikeje Asogwa as the Director General of the Peter Mbah Campaign Organization.

“Chief Asogwa brings on board a wealth of experience as a former Chairman of our great party in Enugu State. He will energize the campaign with his characteristic charisma, ebullience, grasp of politics and mastery of political strategy and effective communications.

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“As the Director General, he will coordinate, oversee and drive all aspects of the PDP electioneering for the resounding victory of our party in the 2023 governorship election in the State.”

The statement added that other appointments will be announced in the coming days and weeks.

Asogwa is a former two-term Managing Director of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation and until his present appointment the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Commission (EN-SUBEB).

President Muhammadu Buhari’s former media assistant and member, House of Representatives, Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada, on Saturday declared his interest in the governorship election in Kano.

Sharada, who used a street campaign strategy to formally announce his candidature under the platform of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, moved from his Maiduguri Road campaign office to the Main Sani Abacha Youth Center.

Hundreds of tricycle operators, motorists, and motorcyclists crippled traffic in the ancient city, with others carrying posters of the gubernatorial candidate.

Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada, who had been having a running battle with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje while he was in the All Progressives Congress (APC), left the party after failing to clinch the party’s gubernatorial seat.

The 40-year-old promised a total turnover of Kano to a more economically prosperous state.

As the 2023 election draws near, Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, on Saturday warned Peter Obi that “the thin line” between his speaking charges in his US tours and “fellowshipping with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI” is not far.
It was reported that Bwala’s caution comes as Nigerians in the U.S. host Obi, the Labour Party flag-bearer for the 2023 presidential election, in five U.S. states.

The presidential hopeful is expected to address town hall meetings and grant interviews in major cities of the leading democracy in the world.

A flier has been doing the rounds on social media showing that Obi’s townhall meeting with diasporan Nigerians in Atlanta, USA, on Friday night, has been monetised. This has elicited criticisms and jibes from his antagonists.

Obi has in the recent past been in some western nations where he addressed Nigerians and friends of the country in packed-to-capacity halls.

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Earlier, Obi had met with some Nigerians in Germany, Italy, and Canada over his presidential ambition.

He had also visited the Vatican City in Rome, where he attended the ceremony where a Nigerian, Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Ekwulobia Diocese, was elevated to a Cardinal in the Catholic Church.

“If @NgLabour have the ears and attention of @PeterObi, pls ask him to immediately desist from the current speaking charges in his US tours.

“The thin line between it and fellowshipping with FBI is not far,” Bwala wrote in his known Twitter handle.

Ahead of the 2023 election, Dino Melaye, one of the spokespersons of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, has said Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State will not leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It was reported that the crisis involving the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku, and Wike has not been resolved.

The camp of the Rivers governor had demanded Iyorchia Ayu’s resignation as National Chairman of the PDP as one of the conditions that must be fulfilled to resolve the post-presidential primary crisis rocking the party.

There are rumours Wike may dump the PDP should his camp be unsuccessful in their bid to oust Ayu. But Melaye is certain Wike will remain a member of the party.

“I say it with every blood in my vein that Wike is a PDP man. He is not going to leave the party and he is going to work with Atiku Abubakar because I know that he is a man of honour,” Melaye told Nigerian Tribune in an interview published on Saturday.

“He is a man of his words. I was present at the national convention where Wike held the microphone and said he was a PDP man 100 per cent and that whoever emerged there that day as the presidential candidate was going to have his support.

“Wike is 59 going on 60. He is a matured man; he is not going to eat his words.”